AMERICAN SOUL CREATIVE MARKETING CONCEPTS 10.24.18 AMERICAN SOUL
ABOUT THE SHOW
American Soul is the story about the struggle to make the dream of Soul Train come true. Set in the early 70’s, filled with music, dance, fashion and glamour, this is the untold story of the launch of the first nationally syndicated Black music show and what happened when the music stops. Battles with record labels for top talent, off-camera drama as young dancers vie for the spotlight, stand in the way of a 30-something Don Cornelius who is sacrificing all that he loves to follow his dream. The journeys of these characters collide in a racially charged LA with the odds stacked against them. All they have is each other and the magic of Soul Train.
2 AMERICAN SOUL AMERICAN SOUL AMERICAN SOUL AMERICAN SOUL THEAMERICAN CAST SOUL AMERICAN SOUL THE CAST AND CHARACTERST E T TE T CA T AN C A ACT T E T TE DON1.) SINQUA CORNELIUS WALLS as on ornelius TESSA3.) IANTHA GEORGE RICHARDSON as essa eorge KENDALL5.) JELANI WINSTON CLARKE as endall lar e THE CAST ANDComing CHARACTERS into prominence for his role as Shawn on a n 3.) IANTHA RICHARDSON an a s a as essa n eorge T T CA T AN eco ni ed C A ACT as a top hi h school theatre Formidable. o er, Sinqua Flawed. has made appearances on Passionate.most recently Loyal. casted as Adult Tess in NBC’s hit Vain.per ormer Impatient. in eor ia Tons elani as per ormed in a several shows including Teen olf, riday ight s a n his s s an a a a nd s a n n a T 1.) SINQUA WALLS as on ornelius e 5.) nota leJELANI WINSTON musicals asincludin endall es lar e is and ittle Fascinating. ights, The rea s, Don and is aBET’s Tales. Perfectionist.andmost dan recently s castedTessa ad a d as Adult d a Tess in n s NBC’s hit of Sho fun. o A orrors Military or hich he on a huler T Coming into prominence for his role as Shawn on s his s s a a nd n a ensley eco ni ed a ard as reco ni in a top hi h theschool est theatre hi h school man that r e u has –failed ormidable la ed ascinating is the Soul Train brat, Kendall is a o er, Sinqua has made appearances on and dan s ad a d d a n s per ormersper ormer in in the eor ia state o elani eor ia as per ormed e is the in a tatues ue and stylish ith a cool eneer hiding Tessa George – assionate Loyal erfectionist at severalevery showsjob he’s including ever Teen olf, riday ight Dance CoordinatorT teenagedolder e rothernota le dad o musicals torn risin star includin ahi inston es is hoand as ittle his internal rage, on is a man that has failed at essa is a risk taker, not afraid of the ne t ights, The rea s, and BET’s Tales. castSho in heo orrors ew dition or hich Story he on a huler every job he’s ever had from insurance salesman challenge or adventure. She’s a classically had... until the birth withTessa an Georgeexcellent – assionate Loyal erfectionist between ensley loving a ard reco ni in his the est hi h school to security guard to police officer until the birth trained ballerina who broke down racial barriers r e u – ormidable la ed ascinating essa is a risk taker, not afraid of the ne t Kendallper ormers Clarke in the– ain. state m atient. o eor ia ons e o is un. the of ofSoul oul Train.Train tortured soul ith an eye for senseto make for a talent. name for herself even though she baby’s mama, and tatues ue and stylish ith a cool eneer hiding challenge or adventure. She’s a classically endallolder rother has the o chiseled risin star body ahi o inston a man but ho the as greatness, on is clearly a man torn bet een his had to live in ermany to do so essa is the oul his internal rage, on is a man that has failed at trained ballerina who broke down racial barriers mindsetcast in o he a ews oiled dition brat. Story rowing u as the A torturedfamily ho soullo es hiswith creation more than his She rain matures ance Coordinator as a with an e cellent sense being a “playa”. A every job he’s ever had from insurance salesman to make a name for herself even though she lone son o military man, endall is not yet his family, and himself more than anything for talent, who believes she can save every father’s son, but he is a teenaged dad torn an eye for greatness, Don isto securityclearly guard a man to police officerbusinesswoman until the birth and finds herhad grooveto live in as ermany a to do so true essa talent, is the oul Kendall finds himselfKendall Clarke longing– ain. for m atient. ons o un. wayward dancer in her care ver the course of between wanting the lo e o his baby’s mama, of oul Train tortured soul ith an eye for rain ance Coordinator with an e cellent sense endall has the chiseled body o a man but the who loves his creation more than his family, wife, while clashing with Donthe season, Cornelius she’ll mature over as a businesswomansuccess, but growing jealousVictoria of hisand needingsister, to be the “playa” his greatness, on is clearly a man torn bet een his for talent, who believes she can save every mindset o a s oiled brat. rowing u as the and find her groove as a wife, while clashing nature begs him to be. true talent, with mad and himself more than anything.family ho lo es his creation morethe than essence his of what Soul Trainwithwayward on should Cornelius dancer be. overin her the care essence Simone, ver of the what course as oul she of gets everythinglone sonhe o wants. military man, endall is not yet his family, and himself more than anything dancingfather’s s ills son, and but hea ower ul is a teenaged oice, dad endall torn inds rainthe season, should be she’ll mature as a businesswoman himsel longing or success, but growing ealous and find her groove as a wife, while clashing between wanting the lo e o his baby’s mama, o Victoria his sister, and Simone, needing as she to begets the e erything “playa” his he 4with.) KATLYN on Cornelius NICHOL as over imone the essenceClarke of what oul 2.) JASON DIRDEN as erald ims wants.nature begs him to be. true talent, with mad rain should be a n s a a n d B s n as s n d dancing s ills and a ower ul oice, endall inds Fresh off his role as Basie Shanks in reenleaf, 6.) CHRISTOPHER JEFFERSON as e rey “JT” a B s a a s and a a himsel longing or success, but growing ealous Jason is a burgeoning performer with a 4.) KATLYN NICHOL as imone Clarke uc er n s as s a s d as n n o his sister, Simone, as she gets e erything he GERALDbackground AIMS in both TV and theatre, with credits SIMONE CLARKE JEFFREY “JT” TUCKER 2.) JASON DIRDEN as erald ims a n s ad s a wants. including lementary and ouse of ayne. a n s a a n d B s n as s n d ith a ac round in theatre Christopher has and appeared on FOX’s hots ired Instinctive. Talented. a Ambitious. B s a a s and a a Gifted.appeared6.) CHRISTOPHER Distrustful. on An ie JEFFERSON Tri eca AT as e rey Blac ish “JT” and Fresh off his role as Basie Shanks in reenleaf, er – nstincti e pportunistic n s as s a s d as n n AMC’s uc er i th ard as the lead Opportunistic.Jason is a burgeoning performer with a Adventurous.Simon Clarke –Simone alented Ambitious An old soul. JT mpulsi e n established gangster and club a n s ad s a background in both TV and theatre, with credits Adventurous imone rebels against the o ner who hasn’t lost the hustle, ims is an Jeffrey ith a “JT” ac round Tucker – i ted. in theatre istrust ul. Christopher n old has Impulsive.including lementaryAn and ouse of ayne. is over rotectivenessaand “glass appeared half-full” on of FOX’s her family hots who ired still see her is a natural-born alpha dog who’d rather scare you than kill you, soul.appeared is a natural on An ie born Tri eca music roducer AT Blac ish who and as the little girl who nearly died as a child. She’s establishedbut ain’t afraid gangster to do both ims becomes on dream-chaser who’s musician.canAMC’s lay i th e erything He ard mayas romnot the ootsielead to ach. e er – nstincti e pportunistic aSimon “glass Clarke half full–” alented dream chaser Ambitious who’s bound Cornelius’s close associate – perhaps his only may not dance li e endall or sing li e his secret mpulsi e n established gangster and club andAdventurous determined imone to find rebels fame inagainst the world the of andfriend club sowner, im introduces on to the decadent bound and determined dancelo eJeffrey, Simone,like “JT” Kendall Tucker but as –the i ted.or third istrust ul.member o n ncore, old o ner who hasn’t lost the hustle, ims is an music over rotectiveness Luckily for her, ofthis her tri le family threat who still see her orld of LA, he’ll grow intrigued by the “legit” hesoul. holds hisis a own. natural urdened born music with roducerbeing the who “man Aimsalpha becomes dog who’d Don rather scare you than kill you, to actor singer findas the fame little girl in dancer who the nearly star died has everythingas a child. it She’s sing like his secret role on plays, and recogni e that oul Train is ofcan the layhouse” e erything since childhood, rom ootsie JT’s mainto ach. goal e is but ain’t afraid to do both ims becomes on takesa “glass to make half full her” dreamsdream chaserreality utwho’s there bound will the uic est tic et to here he ants to go – if gettingmay not aid dance in order li e to endall ee hisor singdrug li e addict his secret Cornelius’sCornelius’s closeclose associate – perhaps his only worldbeand a ofheavydetermined music. rice to Butto ay find for fame the ina lause the world of love, Simone, but as only on ould let him aboard momlo e and, Simone, baby but sister as romthe third li ing member on the streets. o ncore, friend s im introduces on to the decadent imone seeks, and sadly, she will ay it in full associate –perhaps theremusic will Luckily be afor heavy her, this tri le threat the hethird holds member his own. urdened of with being the “man orld of LA, he’ll grow intrigued by the “legit” actor singer dancer star has everything it of the house” since childhood, JT’s main goal is role on plays, and recogni e that oul Train is his only friend. Aims introduces Don to the price to pay for the applausetakes Simone to make seeks, her dreams reality Encore, ut there he willholds his own. JT’sgetting main aid goal in order is to ee his drug addict * = Indicates tentative information the uic est tic et to here he ants to go – if be a heavy rice to ay for the a lause mom and baby sister rom li ing on the streets. decadent world of LA, growingonly intrigued on ould let him aboard and sadly, she will pay it in imone full. seeks, and sadly, she willgetting ay it inpaid full in order to keep his drug-addict 9/17/2018 9/17/2018 4 5 by the “legit” role Don plays. Soul Train is 9/17/2018mom and baby sister from living on the 6 * = IndicatesAims’s tentative ticket information to where he wants to go. streets.
9/17/2018 4 9/17/2018 9/17/2018 5 3 6 OUR APPROACH
THEMES RELEVANCE IMPACT
THE DREAM WHAT IT CHANGED SUBVERSIVE AFROCENTRICITY - DON: THE SHOW ITSELF - SOUL TRAIN MARKS THE BIRTH OF THE BLACK MEDIA - TESS: MAKING IT AS A DANCE INSTRUCTOR MOGUL. BLACK MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT STARTED HERE. SOLIDIFIED NATIONAL BLACK CULTURE - SIMONE: KENDALL, JT - IT’S THE MUSIC BIZ - GERALD: PLAYING THE GAME & GOING LEGIT SAME AS IT EVER WAS GAVE BLACKNESS A NEW CONTEXT OF BEAUTY & CREATIVITY - BLACK ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS STILL AN UPHILL STRUGGLE. RATHER THAN POLITICAL & SOCIAL STRIFE THE STRUGGLE INSTITUTIONALIZED BARRIERS REMAIN. - MAKING IT IN AN UNFORGIVING WORLD - MAKING IT IN SHOWBIZ IS STILL AN UPHILL STRUGGLE. BLACK AMERICANS - MANY OF THE SAME ISSUES THAT PLAGUED THE BLACK - ASPIRATIONAL BLACK EXCELLENCE COMMUNITY REMAIN. - EMPOWERING - SHOWCASED BLACK EXCELLENCE BLACK CULTURE - SIGNALED AN ARRIVAL IN PRIMETIME TV - SPREADING OF THE CULTURE (MUSIC/FASHION/DANCE) MUSIC DRIVEN WHITE AMERICANS GLAMOUR & GLITZ OF THE 1970S - A WINDOW INSIDE BLACK CULTURE - AN INTRODUCTION TO AFROCENTRISM - A STEP TOWARDS WIDER ACCEPTANCE CHARACTER TENSIONS - FIRST GLIMPSE OF BLACK ADVERTISING - FOR SOME, A FRIGHTENING INTRUSION DON TESS KENDALL - THE MUSIC BIZ - DON - HIS BABY MOMS, HIS KID - THE ADVERTISERS - HER DANCERS - THE BAND - THE NETWORK - HIMSELF SIMONE JT - HER FAMILY - HIS FAMILY / ADDICT MOM GERALD - THE BAND - THE BAND - THE MOB - THE LA POWER STRUCTURE 4 THE LOOK OF AN ERA
5 THE LOOK OF AN ERA
6 THE LOOK OF AN ERA
7 THE LOOK OF AN ERA
8 THE LOOK OF AN ERA
9 THE three pillars THE BIG IDEA: THE CLASH, TENSION & TRIUMPH OF LOVE, PEACE & SOUL
SOUL TRAIN’S VISIONARY & HOST, DON CORNELIUS, ENDED EACH EPISODE WITH HIS NOW LEGENDARY SIGN-OFF: “WE BRING YOU LOVE, PEACE & SOUL”. THESE THREE WORDS CAPTURED THE SPIRIT OF THE ERA, AND SAID SO MUCH WITH SO LITTLE. THIS APPROACH LEVERAGES THESE WORDS AS A FRAMING DEVICE FOR ALL OF THE DRAMA THAT UNFOLDS ON THE SHOW.
OUR ANTHEM SPOT BEGINS WITH A MISDIRECT, CONTRASTING THE WORDS ‘LOVE’ AND ‘PEACE’ WITH THE STRIFE, STRUGGLE, AND DRAMA OF THE SHOW - NOT ONLY WITH OUR CHARACTERS - BUT ALSO THEIR SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT.
WITH ‘SOUL’, WE BRING IT BACK TO THE TRIUMPH OF THE SHOW ITSELF. THE MUSIC. THE DANCING. THE STYLE. ALL OF THE INCREDIBLE ELEMENTS THAT MAKE THIS JOURNEY WORTH TAKING.
TONE: CHALLENGING // PROVOCATIVE // TRIUMPHANT
10 THE THREE PILLARS TEASE TEASE - alt
VO: LOS ANGELES, 1971 ARCHIVAL SHOTS OF LA / POLICE / PROTESTS A VARIATION ON THE STRUCTURE, WHERE WE KEEP IT SIMPLE, REPEATING ARCHIVAL BLACK PANTHERS / CIVIL RIGHTS / ETC THE MANTRA OF LOVE, PEACE & SOUL THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SPOT. WE’LL ALTERNATE BETWEEN SCENES THAT REFLECT THE POSITIVE ASPECTS OF THE A TIME FOR LOVE DON FAMILY DRAMA - WITH WIFE, SON THREE PILLARS, THEN SWITCH TO SHOW THE NEGATIVE. THIS WILL CATCH TESSA FIGHTING WITH DON VIEWERS OFF GUARD, AND DEMONSTRATE THE BREADTH AND COMPLEXITY OF SIMONE BAND DRAMA THE CHARACTERS AND THE SHOW. KENDALL FIGHTING WITH HIS BABY’S MOTHER GERALD AND MOB THUGS GFX: LOVE
VIETNAM / THE CRIPS / POLICE SHOOTING SCENE PEACE A TIME FOR PEACE DON WITH A GUN IN HIS LAP JT WITH HIS MOTHER SOUL GERALD & CHARLES BOBBIT SCENE TENSION WITH THE BAND LOVE
GLADYS NIGHT, DONNA SUMER, ENCORE, ETC PEACE A TIME FOR SOUL DAZZLING MONTAGE OF ALL THE COOL CLOTHES DANCERS / MUSICIANS REHEARSING / PERFORMING SOUL THE SHOW IN FULL SWING LOVE DON IN CONTROL, CALLING THE SHOTS PEACE BLACK SOUL RAPID FLASH CUTS OF EVERYTHING OUR SOUL SOUL AMERICAN SOUL
AMERICAN SOUL AMERICAN SOUL THE SHOW THAT GAVE AMERICA THE SHOW THAT GAVE AMERICA LOVE, PEACE & SOUL TUNE IN LOVE, PEACE & SOUL PREMIERING TUESDAY FEBRUARY 5TH AT 8PM PREMIERING TUESDAY FEBRUARY 5TH AT 8PM ONLY ON BET ONLY ON BET
11 THE THREE PILLARS CHARACTERS SPOTS LOVE PEACE & DON LOVE PEACE & TESSA LOVE PEACE & JT
VO: DON CORNELIUS VO: TESSA LORRAINE VO: JEFFREY “JT” TUCKER THE ORIGINAL BLACK MEDIA MOGUL SHE’S GOT THE DRIVE & AMBITION A NATURAL BORN MUSICIAN WHO CHANGED THE WORLD WITH THE POWER & PERFECTION OF WHO LIVES & BREATHES THREE SIMPLE WORDS
LOVE LOVE LOVE PEACE PEACE PEACE &SOUL & SOUL & SOUL
BEFORE TYLER IF SHE CAN KEEP IT ALL TOGETHER HE’S DOING IT FOR HIS FAMILY BEFORE OPRAH SHE’S GONNA SHOW THE WORLD FOR HIS MUSIC BEFORE DIDDY EVERYTHING SHE’S GOT AND FOR HIS SOUL THERE WAS DON
AMERICAN SOUL AMERICAN SOUL AMERICAN SOUL THE SHOW THAT GAVE AMERICA LOVE, PEACE & SOUL THE SHOW THAT GAVE AMERICA LOVE, PEACE & SOUL THE SHOW THAT GAVE AMERICA LOVE, PEACE & SOUL PREMIERING TUESDAY FEBRUARY 5TH AT 8PM PREMIERING TUESDAY FEBRUARY 5TH AT 8PM PREMIERING TUESDAY FEBRUARY 5TH AT 8PM ONLY ON BET ONLY ON BET ONLY ON BET
12 DESIGN EXPLORATION
13 DESIGN EXPLORATION
14 DESIGN EXPLORATION
15 DESIGN EXPLORATION
16 OUR APPROACH
THE YEAR IS 1971.
The Civil Right Movement is well underway. Black America is ripe with pride and possibility. It’s a time of great change in America. But with change comes discomfort. There’s an upset to the status quo and tensions are high.
The assassination of leaders like Dr. King, police violence, and an ugly war left the people in need of healing. Black artists came to the rescue with iconic records like Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On, Isaac Hayes’ Black Moses and Aretha Franklin’s Young, Gifted and Black with that sweet, soothing American Soul. Black Power + Black radical thought, movement, creativity and action were loudly declared. And the message was clear: Black is Beautiful.
17 BLACK AMERICAN DREAMING Digital / Social / Live – Now vs Then
18 BLACK AMERICAN DREAMING
SOUL TRAIN GAVE BLACK AMERICA THE PLATFORM TO SHINE OUTSIDE THE CONFINES OF WHITE GATEKEEPERS IN MEDIA. FOR THE FIRST TIME, BLACK MUSIC, STYLE AND DANCE WAS BEING DEPICTED RAW AND UNFILTERED, CATAPULTING THE CAREERS OF MANY.
DON HAD A VISION, A DREAM OF SEEING POSITIVE IMAGES OF BLACK PEOPLE ON TELEVISION. HOWEVER, THE VERY ACT OF DREAMING WHILE BLACK WAS A REVOLUTIONARY ACT. DON’S VISION, SOUL TRAIN, BECAME A LAUNCHING PAD FOR THOSE WHO HAD THE AUDACITY TO DREAM. HOWEVER, WE’LL LEARN THAT MANY OF THE CHARACTERS IN AMERICAN SOUL HAVE A ROUGH JOURNEY AHEAD.
19 BLACK AMERICAN DREAMING PHASE 1 / TEASE / 30-15 sec MUSIC: MARVIN GAYE - I WANT YOU In this concept tease Don redefines the black American Dream. A series of clips and motion portraits with the backdrop of a reimagined American flag will literally and metaphorically capture American Soul.
DON: PEOPLE DIDN’T SEE YOU FOR WHO YOU WERE WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED LATCH GETS ARRESTED. DON GETS PULLED OVER. TODAY I CHALLENGE YOU TO DREAM SIMONE STANDS DEFIANTLY IN FRONT OF THE FLAG BECAUSE I’M NOT JUST MAKING A DANCE SHOW QUICK CUTS OF YOUNG PEOPLE DANCING ON A COLORFUL SET. I’M BUILDING A LEGACY A FLUTTER OF MUSIC ACTS - GLADYS, DIANA, THE CHI-LITES COME TO SOUL TRAIN. SEE ME FOR WHO I AM CUT TO DON AGAINST AMERICAN FLAG. HE HOLDS HIS FIST TO HIS CHEST. SEE THIS FOR WHAT IT COULD BE.
GFX: AMERICAN SOUL. COMING IN FEBRUARY.
20 BLACK AMERICAN DREAMING PHASE 2 / THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD / 30 sec CHARACTER SPOTS
In this series of character IDs, we will use the practical and surreal to convey the enormity of what’s at stake for each of our main characters. These tableaus give us the chance to see each individual and the world s/he is up against. Don alone on the Soul Train soundstage standing in his dream. JT alone in the back alley of Ma Mabel’s weighing lifestyle options that could make or break him. Gerald alone after a busy night in an empty, messy “Guys and Dolls” holding on to the vision that got him there in the first place. Dramatic camera moves assist in playing up the tension between the individual and their settings. Soulful music and a mix of sound bites and spoken character copy give cues of each individual’s personal drama. These IDs are intentionally abstract, ethereal, at moments overwhelming and ultimately hopeful and powerful.
21 BLACK AMERICAN DREAMING PHASE 2 / THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD / 30 sec / DON CHARACTER SPOT
MUSIC: ARETHA FRANKLIN - DAY DREAMING
The opening instrumentation to Aretha Franklin’s Day Dreaming plays. The camera glides through the set of Soul Train. Lights down. Empty. We catch a glimpse of Don, day dreaming. We begin to see what he sees. Beautiful black people. Dancing around him. In a surreal way, the set is alive, yet he remains still, lost in his vision. All the while we hear sound bites from the show depicting the struggles and the beauty of his life.
BROOKS: WHEN WILL YOU COLORED GUYS FIGURE OUT THE POWER YOU ACTUALLY HAVE? DELORES: I THOUGHT WE AGREED THE HOUSE FUNDS WERE OFF LIMITS DON: SO YOU WANT ME TO GIVE UP ON OUR DREAMS ? DELORES: NO I WANT YOU HERE WITH ME SFX: TONY SOBBS TONY: WHY DOESN’T DADDY WANT TO BE WITH US? CHARLES: WALK AWAY KID. YOU AIN’T BANDSTAND DON: IF I DON’T DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO MAKE THIS WORK. I WON’T MAKE IT. I JUST WON’T. SFX: FAINT TV IN THE BACKGROUND DON: NATIONAL SYNDICATION. 14 CITIES. IT’S HAPPENING. IT’S REALLY HAPPENING! SFX: SOOOUUUUUUUL TRAIN! DELORES: I KNEW YOU COULD YOU DO IT
The camera closes in on Don. His darkened surroundings now illuminated and vibrant. He looks up, straight to camera, and smiles.
GFX: A dream worth chasing at any costs. GFX: American Soul. Coming in February. On BET. 22 BLACK AMERICAN DREAMING PHASE 2 / THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD / 30 sec / JT CHARACTER SPOT
MUSIC: MARVIN GAYE - INNER CITY BLUES
The opening instrumentation to Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues” plays. The back alley of Ma Mabel’s Restaurant. Open with close up of JT holding his head in his hands. The camera pulls out as he slowly pulls his hands away from his face. All the while we hear sound bites from the show depicting the struggles and the beauty of his life.
JT: I CAN’T KEEP BUSSIN’ TABLES BY DAY AND CHASING DREAMS AT NIGHT. IT AIN’T ENOUGH
SFX: BABY SCREAMS
KENDALL: YO JUNKIE ASS MOMMA, BITCH!
SIMONE: THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BELIEVING.
JT: IN YOU? ALWAYS.
SFX: POLICE SIRENS
REGGIE: REVOLUTION DON’T COME EASY, BABY.
MR. WILLARD: WHAT EXACTLY YOU GON’ DO, JULIUS? YOU DAMN SURE AIN’T YO’ FATHER’S SON!
SFX: GUN SHOTS
The camera passes over a pool of blood. His surroundings darken. A wide shot reveals JT standing over what looks to be a dead body. His guitar strapped to his back. The moment feels surreal. He looks up, straight to camera.
GFX: A dream worth chasing at any costs. GFX: American Soul. Coming in February. On BET.
23 BLACK AMERICAN DREAMING PHASE 2 / THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD / 30 sec / GERALD CHARACTER SPOT
MUSIC: BILL WITHERS - Use Me
The opening instrumentation to Bill Withers’ “Use Me” plays. A series of close ups. The surface of a black bar counter. Broken glass. Spilt liquor. The leftover mess of a busy night at Guys and Dolls, which is now empty. All the while we hear sound bites from the show depicting Gerald’s present and the outlook of his future.
MIKEY: PLEASE GERALD. FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING. DON’T KILL ME.
GERALD: CALM DOWN. I AIN’T GONNA KILL YA. NOT IF YOU GET MY MONEY.
SFX: MAN SCREAMS IN AGONY
GERALD: I’LL SET YA UP, FOR A SMALL FINDERS FEE.
DON: WORD GETS OUT I’M PAYING FOR ARTIST, SOUL TRAIN’LL NEVER BE LEGIT.
GERALD: I’M ON THE GROUND FLOOR, I WANT YOU WITH ME. THESE BEES IS MONEY, DON.
(A BEAT)
GERALD: SAY IT WITH ME, DON, ‘BEES IS MONEY’ Close up on a pile of cash. Hands come into frame, counting bills stained with blood.
The camera pulls out to reveal Gerald. He sits in his empty club. His dark surroundings illuminated with a hint of red. The devil can dream. He looks up, straight to camera, and flashes a mischievous grin.
GFX: A dream worth chasing at any costs. GFX: American Soul. Coming in February. On BET.
24 BLACK AMERICAN DREAMING PHASE 3 / launch a / the audacity to dream / 30-15 sec MUSIC: THE STYLISTICS - PEOPLE MAKE THE WORLD GO ‘ROUND
Anchored with Don’s moving speech to the Soul Train Gang, this spot fuses pivotal show clips with our reimagined American Flag image shots of our cast looking brave and strong.
DON: AT THIS MOMENT, YOU’RE STANDING IN A DREAM. MY DREAM.
GLADYS KNIGHT AT THE PIANO IS ABOUT TO SING HER FAVORITE SONG. SIMONE AND KENDALL EAGERLY WAIT IN THE WINGS BACKSTAGE.
TESSA SMILES LONGINGLY WHILE WATCHING TALENTED PERFORMERS ON STAGE. IN CASE YOU NEVER HAD A DREAM OF YOUR OWN, LET ME TELL YOU, IT DON’T COME FAST, CHEAP OR EASY.
GERALD SHOVES A MAN INTO THE TRUNK OF A CAR. JT SCREAMS AS HE SCREECHES AWAY IN THE UNINTENTIONAL GETAWAY CAR.
MRS. CLARKE COLLAPSES AT THE NEWS OF HER HUSBAND’S DEATH. YOU PROTECT IT AT ALL COSTS. I WILL PROTECT IT AT ALL COSTS.
DON’S WIFE DELORES ANGRILY HANGS UP THE PHONE. JT HOLDS HIS CRYING BABY SISTER. KENDALL LOOKS OVER TO HIS ANGRY
BABY MAMA ACROSS THE COURTROOM. DON ON THE SOUL TRAIN SOUNDSTAGE STANDS STILL, TAKING IT ALL IN. GFX: AMERICAN SOUL. COMING IN FEBRUARY.
25 BLACK AMERICAN DREAMING PHASE 3 / launch B / DREAMING WILD AND FREE / 60-30 sec MUSIC: JAMES BROWN - GET ON THE GOOD FOOT
Bright, colorful, celebratory. This clip-based spot embodies the dream that is Soul Train. Bold, wild and free dreamers are in their full glory… until reality sets in. It takes a lot of guts to dream this big.
DON: THIS IS THE DREAM. WE CAN’T STOP HERE.
MUSIC DROPS. LIGHTS COME UP ON THE SOUL TRAIN SOUNDSTAGE. PERFORMERS AND DANCERS GLEAM. DON CORNELIUS, AT THE HELM OF IT ALL BEAMS.
DON: NATIONAL SYNDICATION. 14 CITIES. IT’S HAPPENING. IT’S REALLY HAPPENING!
DELORES, EXCITED HUGGING AND KISSING DON.
SIMONE: SO NERVOUS, I DON’T NOW WHAT TO DO!
SIMONE AND KENDALL KILL IT IN THEIR AUDITION.
TESSA: WE TAPE SATURDAYS FROM TEN UNTIL. WELCOME TO SOUL TRAIN.
SIMONE AND KENDALL HUG EXCITEDLY. GERALD AND DON TOAST GLASSES OF WHISKEY. TESSA AND PATRICK KISS PASSIONATELY.
DON: YOU MAKE A MISTAKE, KEEP DANCING. YOU BREAK AN ANKLE, KEEP DANCING. DON’T YOU DARE STOP.
DANCERS DANCE COMPETITIVELY. AGGRESSIVELY. JT LOOKS DISAPPOINTED TOWARDS HIS JUNKY MOTHER. SOLDIERS IN VIETNAM RUN FROM FIRE.
GFX: A DREAM WORTH CHASING
26 BLACK AMERICAN DREAMING PHASE 3 / launch B / DREAMING WILD AND FREE continue / 60-30
DON: I KEEP WAITING FOR IT TO ALL GO WRONG. BUT IT HASN’T AND I DON’T THINK IT WILL. GFX: AT ANY COST. MUSIC DROPS OUT FOR A BEAT.
REGGIE (FROM BACKSEAT OF CAR, HOLDING GUN): GO! GO! GO!
JT DRIVES GETAWAY CAR, SHOCKED AND ANGRY.
SIMONE: I’M DOING THE SHOW JT, EVEN IF I’M DOING IT BY MYSELF.
SIMONE, JT AND KENDALL ARGUE. SIMONE, BANGS ON DOOR.
TESSA: BE CAREFUL, BABY.
TESSA KISSES HUSBAND AS HE WALKS AWAY DRESSED IN POLICE UNIFORM.
JT: I’M OUT.
REGGIE: OUT? YOU BLACK IN AMERICA BROTHER, AIN’T NO GETTING OUT.
JT CONFRONTS LANDLORD. DON CONFRONTS LARGE BODY GUARDS.
DON: YOU KNOW MONEY. I KNOW MEN. AND KNOWING THEIR WEAKNESSES IS MORE VALUABLE THAN GOLD.
TWO BARELY DRESSED WOMEN APPROACH A MAN IN HIS HOTEL ROOM AS DON TURNS AWAY SMIRKING.
GERALD: YOU DON’T GIVE A DAMN, HUH?
A CRESCENDO OF HIGH ENERGY MOMENTS WITH OUR CHARACTERS, BOTH HIGH AND LOW.
DON: IT’S GONNA BE A STONE GAS, HONEY.
GFX: AMERICAN SOUL COMING IN FEBRUARY.
27 BLACK AMERICAN DREAMING TAGLINES
BLACK AMERICAN DREAMING HOW ONE MAN’S DREAM AWAKENED A NATION WHEN LIFE WAS BLACK AND WHITE, HE DREAMED IN COLOR WHEN LIFE WAS BLACK AND WHITE, THEY DREAMED IN COLOR THE REVOLUTION WAS TELEVISED THE UNTOLD STORY OF HOW AMERICA GOT ITS SOUL THE SHOW THAT GAVE AMERICA LOVE, PEACE & SOUL BEFORE OPRAH. BEFORE TYLER. BEFORE DIDDY. THERE WAS DON. THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE AMERICAN SOUL THE SHOW THAT PAINTED AMERICA BLACK THE INCREDIBLE STORY OF THE SHOW THAT CHANGED IT ALL THE SHOW THAT CHANGED IT ALL THE UNITED STATES OF SOUL THE BIRTH OF OUR NATIONAL SOUL DO YOU BELIEVE IN SOUL? THE TRAIN THAT BROUGHT THE SOUL
28 BLACK AMERICAN DREAMING OOH / 360 / PR / DIGITAL / SOCIAL
SATURDAY SOUL SESSION(S) DAY PARTIES IN SELECT CITIES. CORRELATE WITH SOUL TRAIN TUNE IN TIME OF SATURDAY AT NOON.
ART IS ACTIVSM (NOW VS THEN) PANELS/DISCUSSIONS/HEALTHY COMMENTARY/DEBATES ON NOW VS THEN (STREAMED) AUDACIOUS ACT OF CELEBRATING BLACK PRIDE/BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL.
FASHION WEEK/HARLEM FASHION ROW - BET SPONSORED EXECUTION. COVERAGE FOR SOCIAL/DIGITAL
DIGITAL BET.COM/STYLE – COMPARING THE STYLES ON SOUL TRAIN TO THE TRENDS THAT ARE OUT NOW. THE EMBRACE OF AFROCENTRIC HERITAGE. STREET STYLES TODAY VS SOUL TRAIN BACK THEN AND WHAT IT MEANS TO INDIVIDUAL – BLACK PRIDE IN DRESS.
AMERICAN SOUL SPOTIFY PLAYLISTS USING OUR KEY ART AS ALBUM COVER
DIGITAL/SOCIAL – AMERICAN SOUL FILTER I AM ______I AM ______I AM AN AMERICAN SOUL.
29 BLACK AMERICAN DREAMING DESIGN EXPLORATION
30 THANK YOU